Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh has sought a stronger, results-oriented partnership with UNICEF to advance maternal and child health, quality education, adolescent girls’ empowerment, child protection and climate resilience.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam expressed the expectation during a dialogue with visiting UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Sunday, said a foreign ministry press release here yesterday.
The discussions focused on longstanding cooperation between Bangladesh and UNICEF for the devel-opment and welfare of women and children.
Appreciating UNICEF’s contributions since Bangladesh’s independence, Shama reaffirmed the govern-ment’s commitment to building an inclusive country that ensures dignity, equal opportunities and essen-tial services for women and children.
She highlighted the government’s flagship Family Card and Farmers’ Card initiatives, referring to fi-nancial support for female-headed households to strengthen women’s economic empowerment.
The state minister also outlined measures including school feeding, distribution of free textbooks and free education for female students up to undergraduate level.
She highlighted Bangladesh’s significant progress in reducing maternal and child mortality and said the government had nearly doubled the health budget to strengthen healthcare services.
Russell acknowledged Bangladesh’s progress in reducing child mortality and stunting, improving school attendance and birth registration, and expanding access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
She appreciated the government’s cooperation and assured Bangladesh of UNICEF’s continued support.
UNICEF Country Representative Gillian Mellsop, Deputy Representative Emmanuelle Abrioux and Child Protection Specialist Shabnaaz Zahereen accompanied Russell.
Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asad Alam Siam and Director General Kazi Ehsanul Haque accompanied the state minister.
